Mattress tufting machine



May 17, 1938. J SOHN l MATTRESS TUFTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 10, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HUM H.

J. SOHN MATTRESS TUFTING MACHINE May 17, 193s.

Filed Aug. 10, 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jwde/??? @Jac/'d 50%72 Patented May 17, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFieE Application August 10,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a mattress tufting machine and particularly to a machine which is intended to hold and compress the mattress, particularly at the points at which tufts are to be applied.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved tufting machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved tufting machine in which the mattress can be readily compressed and moved in compressed condition into horizontal and vertical positions to facilitate the tufting operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved actuating means for compressing a mattress.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved frame construction for a mattress tufting machine.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan View of my improved machine;

Fig.l 2 is a side elevation thereof, with parts broken away, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end View of the machine showing the frames in spaced relation for the reception of a mattress;

Fig. 4 is a similar View showing the frames in mattress-compressing position, part of the standard and adjacent elements being omitted for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the opposite end of the machine showing the frames in mattress-compressing relation and swung into vertical position, the operating handle at the opposite end of the machine and part of the standard being omitted for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail on a larger scale, taken on the line E-6 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. '7 is a sectional detail on a larger scale, taken on the line I-T of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numerals I!! and II designate two frames which are of a size to enable them to receive between them a mattress to be tufted. These frames are relatively movable into their extreme positions shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The frame I0 carries upstanding rods I2 which are received in openings in the upper frame II so that the frames are maintained in register. A link I3 is pivotally connected to each frame Ill and I I by pivots I 4. These pivots are located on one side of 1936, Serial No. 95,127

ie machine, for example, to the right side, as viewed in Fig. 1. Approximately at their centers the links i3 at each end of the machine are connected together by the pivot i5. The other ends of the links I3 carry pins I6 which slide in slots I'I in pieces of metal I8 secured to the end members of the frames i5" and I i. It will readily be seen from Figs. 3 and 4 that the links I3, together with the rods i2, serve to keep the two frames I and II parallel under all circumstances.

At each end the frame I Si carries a bracket I9 which is of substantial Z-shape, as shown in Fig. 2. The brackets I9 carry outwardly projecting trunnions which are received in suitable bearings 2l mounted on the upper end of standards 22. These trunnions are preferably located approximately at the center of the compressed mattress so that the frames when loaded and the mattress compressed, are substantially balanced so that the system may be rotated easily. 'Ihe standards 22 form part of a supporting frame which includes a longitudinal channel member 23 and transverse feet or supports 24. The feet 24 are rigidly connected to the channel member 23, as likewise are the standards 22. The standards are suitably held rigid by means of straps 25 connected thereto andto projecting portions of the channel member 23. It will readily be understood, with reference to Fig. 2, that the supporting frame provides an open space in which the frames Ii] and II, together with the mattress, may be swung.

On its under side the frame Iii supports a rotatable shaft 26. At one end, that is, the lefthand end as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, the shaft 2S has rigidly secured thereto an actuating handle 21 of substantial length. The portion of the handle 2l adjacent the shaft 26 is in the form of a hook so that this shaft may clear the bracket I9 in moving between the positions shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and vice versa. It will be understood that the actuating handle 2l' operates between the standard 22 and adjacent ends of the frames ID and ll. A link 228` is pivotally connected to the shaft 21 and to the upper frame II. 'Ihis link is bent, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, so as to clear the bracket I9. rlhe link 28 is located on the inner side of the operating handle 2l and on the outer sides of the links I3 so that the handle 27 may be swung without it or the link 28 fouling other parts of the mechanism. The outer end of the actuating lever 21,

that is, the part remote from the shaft 26, is ofset as shown in Fig. 1, to enable it to be grasped by hand and moved past the frames Il) and I l.

At the other end of the machine the shaft 26 rigidly carries a hooked arm 29 which is arranged in alignment with the hooked end of the lever 21. The arm 29 is of the same shape as the hooked end of the lever 21 for the same reason, that is, to enable it to clear the bracket i9 at the adjacent end of the machine. The arm 29 is connected to the center of the top vframe ll by a link 30 which is similar to the link 28 and located in alignment therewith. The lower frame i is secured in the horizontal or vertical position by means which will hereinafter be described. The pivotal connections between the link 28 and lever 21 and between the link 30 and the arm 29 are arranged to pass the plane of the centers of the upper pivots of the links 28 and 30' and the center of the shaft 26. Consequently, when a mattress is inserted between the frames l0 and H, these frames being in the relation shown in Fig. 3, and the lever 21 is thrown in the counter-clockwise direction into the position shown in Fig. 4, the upper frame ll is drawn downwardly and the lower pivotal connections of the links 28 and 36 move past the central vertical plane so that the frames are automatically locked in mattress-compressing relation. After the tufting operation has been completed and the frames have been brought intothe horizintal position sho-wn in Fig. 4, the lever 21 is swung in the clockwise direction and on the completion of the movement of the lever 21 the lower pivots of the links 28 and 38 are located on the right-hand side of the central vertical plane so that the frames are automatically lo'cked or held in the distended relation shown in Fig. 3. The finished mattress can now readily be removed.

The lower frame I0 is provided on one side with a rail 3|, the major length of which is spaced outwardly from the frame towards the adjacent standard 22. The standard has formed thereon a bracket 32 which carries an inwardly projecting plate 33 which is adapted to engage the rail 3l when the frame is in its horizontal position. A latch 34 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 32 and is biased by a spring 35 into the position shown in Fig. 6. When the frames I0 and Il are swung from their vertical position shown in Fig. into their horizontal position shown in Fig. 4 (in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5 and in the counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4), the rail 3l slips past the latch 34 into engagement with the plate 33. The latch then closes into the position shown in Fig. 6 and the frames are held horizontal until the latch 34 is released. When the latch 34 is released by moving its lower end inwardly, the frames l0 and Il may be swung in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig` 4. When the frames are swung intoI a vertical position the end of the rail 3| enters a recess 36 of the latch member 31 and the frames are locked in the vertical position. The latch 31 is pivotally mounted on the adjacent standard 22 and comprises an arm 38 whereby it is pulled into latching position by a spring 39.

The frames l and ll may suitably be formed of transverse angle members 40 at each end. Removably secured to each pair of angle irons 40 is a grid structure 4|. This grid structure comprises longitudinal strips 42 and end strips 43. The end strips 43 are removably secured to the end angle members 40 by means of bolts 44. At suitable positions inwardly directed arcuate compressing members 45 are mounted between adjacent strips 42. As best shown in Fig. '7, the compression members 45 are bellied inwardly so as to compress the mattress more strongly at their positions. The compression members 45 are provided with central openings 46 to enable the workman to tuft through the most highly compressed portions of the mattress. The grid structures 4l being removable, they may be replaced by other grid structures, giving a different desired tuft spacing. The grid structure 4l may be assembled from the strips 42 and 43 and the arcuate compression members 45 by welding.

The operation is as follows: The frames are latched in their horizontal position by the latch 34 by merely moving them into that position. The lever 21 is swung into the position shown in Fig. 3 so as to distend the frames l0 and Il. A mattress to be tufted is then placed between the frames so as to rest on the lower frame I0. The lever 21 is then swung in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, into the relation shown in Fig. 4. The mattress is thereby compressed and the portions of the mattress at which tufts are to be applied are more strongly compressed by the compression members 45. As previously noted, the compression linkage is automatically locked in compression position. The latch 34 is then unlatched and the frames are swung in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, until they are latched in vertical position, as shown in Fig. 5. The workmen now perform the tufting operation passing their needles through the aligned openings 46 of the two frames. When the mattress has been completely tufted, the latch 31 is released and the frames are swung into horizontal position, in which position they are held by the latch 34. The lever 21 is then swung in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, and the frames are distended so that the completed mattress may be removed. It will be noted that the compression linkage including the lever 21, arm 29, shaft 26 and links 28 and 3|] being exclusively mounted on the frames, swing with the frames Vwithout relative movement thereto and maintain vthe frames in their position of adjustment until the lever 21 is actuated.

Although the invention has been disclosed in connection with the specific details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it must be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except in so far as set forth in the accompanying claims'.

Having thus described my invention, what I rclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A mattress tufting machine comprising two relatively movable frames adapted to compress a mattress between them, means maintaining said frames in register and substantially parallel, a longitudinal shaft rotatably mounted on one frame, an actuating lever rigidly mounted on one end of said shaft, an arm rigidly mounted on the other end of said shaft, links connecting said lever and said arm to opposite ends of the other frame whereby the actuation of the lever relative to the frame carrying said shaft causes the frames relatively to approach and separate, trunnion means and standards for pivotally supporting the first said frame, said lever, shaft and links being formed to clear the adjacent trunnion means.

2. A mattress tufting machine comprising two relatively movable frames adapted to compress a mattress between them,.means maintaining said frames in register and substantially parallel, trunnion means and standards for pivotally supporting one of said frames, a longitudinal shaft rotatably mounted on last said frame, an actuating lever rigidly mounted on one end of said shaft, said lever being adapted to swing between one end of said frames and the adjacent standard, said lever being hook-formed adjacent said shaft in order to enable it to be swung without fouling the adjacent trunnion means, an arm rigidly mounted on the other end of said shaft, and links connecting said lever and said arm to opposite ends of the other frame whereby the actuation of the lever relative to the frame Carrying said shaft causes the frames relatively to ape proach and separate.

JACOB SOHN. 

